19 Year Old Nigerian Student Shot Dead in Canada

A 19-year-old Nigerian student, Afolabi Stephen Opaso, who was studying at the University of Manitoba in Canada has been shot dead by the Canadian police.

According to Jean-René-Dominique Kwilu, a Winnipeg lawyer assisting the family of the deceased, Afolabi was studying Economics, at the University of Manitoba.

Winnipeg police reported the shooting to the Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) hours after it happened, 31st December 2023 at about 02:20 p.m.

The police had been called to an apartment suite in the first 100 block of the University Crescent for reports of a man acting erratically. The IIU said two officers responded and found three people inside the suite.

Winningpeg police chief, Danny Smyth told reporters, Monday 1st January, that one of the three, a 19-year-old man was armed with with two knives. Smyth said the officers “were involved in a force encounter” and one of them shot the man.

The Police said the man was taken to the hospital in critical condition where he died from severe injuries, the other two did not sustain injuries.

The family lawyer told CTV news, “They made sure they said this was a mental situation, that the person is their friend, you know, it’s not a danger to anyone. It was just that they needed assistance.

“At this point, there is no indication that Afolabi attacked the police or anything like that”.

Kwilu said Afolabi’s family have questions about how the situation was handled by police and want to know why a mental health call ended with Afolabi’s death.

Investigations by the IIU is on going; they have asked anyone with useful information to contact them.

In reaction to this tragic ordeal, brighshine9311 commented via her Instagram app, “I will not die while looking for greener pastures”

Annifunkies said, “Nowhere is safe in this world, it’s only by the grace of God we get by daily, this is sad.”

Topman_tech said, “This is very sad, no parent should go through this after every effort. You reading this, may you never have to bury your children o. Amen.”

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